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CHAP. 38.—THE MYRTLE USED AT ROME IN OVATIONS.

The myrtle has played1 its part, also, in the successes of
war. Posthumius Tubertus, who gained a victory over the
Sabines in his consulship,2 was the first person who entered
the City enjoying the honour of an ovation,3 for having
achieved this success with ease and without bloodshed; upon
which occasion he made his entry crowned with the myrtle of
Venus Victrix, and thereby rendered her tree an object of
regard4 to our enemies even. Ever since this occasion, the
wreath of those who have enjoyed an ovation has been made
of myrtle, with the exception of M. Crassus,5 who, on his victory over the fugitive slaves and Spartacus, made his entry
crowned with laurels. Massurius informs us, also, that some
generals, on the occasion of a triumph even, have worn a
wreath of myrtle in the triumphal car. L. Piso states that
Papirius Maso, who was the first to enjoy a triumph for a
victory over the Marsi—it was on the Alban Mount6—was
in the habit of attending at the games of the Circus, wearing
a wreath of myrtle: he was the maternal grandfather of the
second Scipio Africanus. Marcus Valerius7 wore two wreaths,
one of laurel, the other of myrtle; it was in consequence of
a vow which he had made to that effect.

1 In addition to all those particulars, he might have stated that the
Lares, or household gods, were crowned with myrtle, and that it was not
allowed to enter the Temple of Bona Dea.

4 Because the enemy would be less likely to envy us a bloodless triumph.

5 He disdained the more humble myrtle crown, and intrigued successfully with the Senate to allow him to wear a wreath of laurel.

6 The Senate refused him a triumph; and he accordingly celebrated
one on the Alban Mount, B.C. 231. Paulus Diaconus says that his
reason for wearing a myrtle crown was his victory over the Corsicans on
the Myrtle Plains, though where they were, or what victory is alluded to,
is not known.

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